Corn-shocker.



No. 812,809. PATENTED FEB; 20, 1906.

O. BUYER. CORN SHOCKER.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 5,1904.

No. 812,809. PATBNTED FEB. 20, 1906; 0. BOYBR.

CORN SHOGKBR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5.1904.

s SHEETS-51! z PATENTED FEB. 20, 190s. 0. BUYER.

CORN SHOGKER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5,1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PATENTED FEB. 20, 1906.

0. BUYER. CORN SHOCKER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5,1904.

6 SHEETSSHEET 4.

No. 812,809. PATENTED FEB. 20, 1906. O. BUYER.

CORN SHOOKER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5,1904.

6 SHEETSSHEET 5.

MUM um W I r\/ 1 I alflioznmg PATENTED FEB. 20, 1906.

0. BOYER. CORN SHOOKER.

APPLICATION IILED JULY 5,1904.

away W06 WWW; was

UNITED STATES PATENT GFFTCE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 20, 1906.

Application filed July 5,1904. Serial No. 215,377.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVER BOYER, a citi zen of the United States,residing at Conant, in the county of Allen and State of Ohio, haveinvented a new and useful Corn-Shocker, of which the following is aspecification.

The invention relates to improvements in corn-Shockers.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction ofcorn-shockers and to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensivemachine adapted to operate on a row of standing corn and capable as itmoves forward of cutting the corn and of feeding the same rearward in anupright position and of packing the same in the form of a shock inconvenient position for enabling the latter to be readily tied up.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of thischaracter which after cutting corn and arranging the same in the form ofa shock will enable such shock to be readily deposited upon the groundat one side of the machine in an upright position.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide a corn-shocker whichwill be entirely automatic in itsoperation from the cutting of the cornuntil the shock is completed and ready to be tied.

The invention also has for its object to provide a corn-shocker having acarrier adapted to transfer the shock from the machine to a point beyondthe same and capable when in position on the machine of successiveautomatic rotation for presenting the difierent portions of theshock-carrier to the feeding mechanism, whereby the corn after being cutwill be transferred to the shockforming mechanism.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in theconstruction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafterfully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointedout in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that variouschanges in the form, proportion, size, and minor details of constructionwithin the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a corn-shockerconstructed in accordance with this invention, the shock-carrier beingarranged at one side of the machine for depositing a shock. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal sectional view, the shock-carrier being in position on themachine. sectional view of the machine, illustrating the construction ofthe feeding mechanism. Fig.

' 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the rear portion of themachine. Fig. 5 is an enlarged reverse plan view of the rear portion ofthe machine, illustrating the construction of the mechanism forsuccessively and auto matically rotating the shock-carrier. Figs. 6 and7 are detail views illustrating the construction of the feedingmechanism. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the oscillatorypackers of the feeding mechanism. Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional viewtaken substantially on the line 9 9 of Fig. 2 and illustrating theconstruction of the sectional bottom of the shock-carrier and the meansfor locking the sections together. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detailsectional view illustrating the manner of mounting the rotary support orturn-table on which the shock-carrier is placed. Fig. 11 is a detailview illustrating the construction of the hoisting mechanism of thecrane from which the shock-carrier is suspended.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all thefigures of the drawings. I

1 designates the frame of the machine, which may be constructed ofanysuitable material and which is supported by side wheels 2 and 3 and arear caster-wheel 4. The caster-wheel 4 is arranged at the center of theback of the frame and is provided with a vertical stem 5, journaled insuitable bearings of a bracket 6. The side wheel 3 is arranged at onecorner of the frame and is mounted on the spindle of a stud-axlesuitably secured to the frame 1, as clearly shown in Fig. 4 of thedrawings. The other side wheel 2, which is larger than the side wheel 3,is mounted in an opening of the frame and is provided with a broad rimto prevent it from sinking in the soft soil, and it may be provided withordinary projections or spurs to prevent it from slipping. It is mountedon a short mile or shaft, which is journaled in suitable bearings of theframe and which carries a sprocket-wheel 7. The sprocket-wheel 7receives a sprocketchain 8, which also meshes with a sprocket-pinion 9for communicating motion to a transverse shaft 10, from which themachine is operated. The sprocket-pinion 9, which is loosely arrangedFig. 3 is a transverse on the transverse shaft 10, is provided with aslidable clutch section 12. The slidable clutch-section 12, which isconnected with the transverse shaft by a key and keyway or any othersuitable means, is adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from theclutchsection of the inion 9 for throwing the machine into and out ofoperation. The said slidable clutch-section is grooved to receive ashifting lever 13, which is fulcrumed between its ends, as clearlyillustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The slidable clutch-section maybe spring-actuated, and a ratchet 14 or any other suitable means may beprovided for locking the shifting lever in either of its positions.

The supporting-frame, which is preferably composed of longitudinal beamsand suitable connecting-pieces, is straight at the front and sides andis curved at the back at 15 to conform generally to the configuration ofa rotary support or turn-table 16, which is successively andautomatically rotated by the means as hereinafter described to presentdifferent portions of a shock carrier and former 17 to the feedingmechanism, whereby the said shock carrier and former will be filled withsevered corn. The frame is provided with a platform 18, arranged at oneside of the machine and extending across the back of the same for theaccommodation of the attendants. I

The machine is provided at the front with spaced guides 19, arranged toreceive the corn of a row between them as the machine travels forwardand consisting of approximately horizontal bottom bars or portions 20and downwardly and forwardly-inclined top portions 21, extendingdownward from fixed side frames 22 to the front ends of the bottomportions 20 and suitably secured to the same. The inclined top portionsof the guides are flanged, as shown, to present smooth surfaces to thestanding corn and to protect the feeding mechanism carried by theguides, whereby such feeding mechanism is prevented from becomingclogged. The side v frames 22, which are located at opposite sides ofthe supporting-frame, are approximately inverted-U shaped and consist ofupright posts or standards and a connectin top portion 23, which iscurved, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The frontposts or standards of the side frame are spaced apart at the front ofthe supporting-frame at opposite sides of the cutting mechanism 24, andthe upper ends of the inclined top portions 21 are connected with thefront posts or standards, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of thedrawings. The cutting mechanism, which may be of any desiredconstruction, is preferably provided with a reciprocating cutterbar 25,having suitable knives and arranged to coperate with correspondingknives or blades of a fixed cutter-bar. The reciprocating cutter-bar isprovided at one end with a frames.

slot 26 to receive a guide-pulley 27; but any other suitable means maybe employed for guiding that end of the cutter-bar. The other end of thecutter-bar is connected by a pitman 28 with a crank-wheel 29, having acrank or wrist pin 30 to receive the pitman 28 and keyed or otherwisesecured to a short longitudinal shaft 31. The shaft 31, which isjournaled in suitable bearings of the sup porting-frame, is located inadvance of the transverse shaft 10 and is connected at its rear end tothe same by bevel-gears 32 and 33, whereby when the machine movesforward and the transverse shaft is rotated the cutting mechanism willbe operated.

The standing corn is fed to the cutting mechanism as the machine movesforward by means of upper and lower endless carriers 34 and 35,consisting of sprocket-chains arranged on the end sprocket-wheels andprovided at intervals with suitable fingers or proj ections 36 forengaging the stalks of standing corn. The end sprocket-wheels of theupper and lower endless carriers are mounted on inclined supports 37.and 38, extending longitudinally of the guides 19 and suitably securedto the bottom of the same and to the standards or posts at the front ofthe side The sprocket-chains are driven by intermediate sprocket-wheels39 and 40, lo cated at points between the end sprocketwheels and mountedupon a shaft 42, extending upward from the bottom of each guide, asclearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and composed of sectionsconnected by universal joints 43 and 44. The shaft 42 is provided at itsbottom with a sprocket-wheel 45 and is driven by a sprocket-chain 46,extending from the said sprocket-wheel 45 to a sprocket-wheel 47 of avertical shaft 48. The vertical shaft 48, which is j ournaled insuitable bearings of the supporting-frame and the adjacent side frame,is connected at its lower end by bevelgears 49 and 50 with thetransverse shaft 10. By this construction motion is communicated fromthe transverse shaft 10 to the endless carriers of the feedingmechanism.

The endless carriers extend rearwardly some distance beyond the cuttingmechanism and are adapted to convey the severed stalks to a point inrear of the supporting frame, and the said stalks are positively fedrearwardly by upper and lower feeding devices 51 and 52. Each feedingdevice consists of a plate or member provided at its engaginglongitudinal edge with teeth 53 and having a slot 54 at its rear end toreceive a guiding-pivot or fastening device 55. The ront end of theplate or member is connected with a crank 56, which when rotatedreciprocates the feeding device longitudinally and also imparts to thesame a transverse oscilla tory movement. The teeth 53' are shouldered attheir rear ends and are adapted to engage the stalks, whereby the latterwill positively feed inwardly or rearwardly. The upper and lower endlesscarriers and their feeding devices engage the severed stalks at oppositesides and at the upper and lower portions thereof and are adapted toconvey the stalks rearwardly in an upright position.

The stalks are fed to the shock former and carrier by a pair ofautomatically-operating horizontally-movable packing or stowing devices57, pivotally mounted on the vertical shafts 48, and consisting ofhorizontallycurved body portions constructed of stout sheet metal orother suitable material and forming guides and provided with arms whichare connected with the vertical shafts 48. The arms of the stowingdevices are preferably formed by an approximately rectangular frame orpiece 58, consisting of a vertical bar having its end portions bent atright angles to form upper and lower arms 59 and 60.. The arms 59 and 60of each stowing device carry a vertical crank-shaft 61, provided withreverselyarranged upper and lower crank-bends 62 and 63, extending indiametrically opposite directions and connected with upper and lowerfeeding-levers 64 and 65. The feeding-levers are connected between theirends with the crank-bends of the shaft 61, and their rear ends areconnected by links 66 and 67 with the frame or bar 58. The front orengaging arms or portions of the levers 64 and extend through upper andlower slots 68 and 69 of the body portion of the stowing device 57, asclearly illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings. The links 66 and 67 arepivotally mounted on suitable brackets and are pivotally connected withthe rear ends of the feeding-levers. The vertical crank-shaft 61 isprovided at its bottom with a sprocket-wheel 70 and is connected by asprocket-chain 71 with the vertical shaft 48, which has a bottomsprocketwheel 72 to receive the sprocket-chain. When the uprightcrank-shaft 61 is rotated, the feeding-levers are moved inwardly andoutwardly and oscillated backwardly and forwardly and will carry thestalks into the shock former and carrier, and owing to thereversely-disposed bends of the crank-shaft 61 one of the feeding-leversof each packing device will be in position to actuate or feed the stalksat all times, and a positive feed of the machine is assured.

The shock former and carrier is composed of sections, as hereinafterexplained, and the stowing devices are adapted to swing into the spacesor compartments formed by the sections to feed the stalks to the centerof the former and carrier, and as the sections or compartments becomefilled with stalks the oscillatory stowing devices will be forcedoutward automatically. The rearward or inward feeding of the stalks bythe endless carriers and the feeding devices are adapted to swing thestowing devices inward and to hold them at the limit of their inwardmovement until the said stowing devices are forced outward by the stalksaccumulating within the shock former and carrier. When the stowingdevices are forced to the outward limit, the shock former and carrier isautomatically ro tated a quarter of a revolution by the meanshereinafter described to bring an empty space or compartment in linewith the feeding mechanism. The feeding devices, which are carried bythe stowing devices and which are movable independently of the same, areadapted to positively force the material inward as the stowing devicesmove outward through the accumulation of the material within theshock-former.

The sprocket-chains of the upper and lower endless carriers and thechains for connecting the vertical shafts are provided with suitabletension devices 73, 74, and 75, which may be of any desired constructionand which are preferably provided with antifriction devices for directlyengaging the chains.

The rotary support or turn-table 16, which is circular, is provided witha central depending pivot 76, which is journaled in suitable bearings ofupper and lower cross-pieces of the main frame. The main frame is provided with antifriction devices, preferably consisting of rollers 77arranged to receive the rotary support or turn-table and mounted onsuitable brackets 78, as clearly indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawings.These antifriction-wheels are located adjacent to the periphery of therotary support or turn-table and enable the same to rotate freely.

The shock former and carrier, which is col lapsible for discharging theshock, is provided with a sectional bottom, the sections 79 beingsubstantially quadrant-shaped, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 9 of thedrawings. The inner corners of the sectors or quadrant-shaped sectionsare truncated to provide a rectangular opening at the center of thebottom of the shock former and carrier for the reception of a projectingrectangular boss or enlargement 80 of the rotary support or turn-tablewhereby when the sec tions are secured together in the position shown inFigs. 4 and 9 the bottom of the shock former and carrier will beinterlocked with the support or turn-table and held IIO 82, whichinterlock the bottom of the shock former and carrier with the rotarysupport or turn-table.

The shock former and carrier, which is adapted to be lifted out ofengagementwith the rotary support or turn-table by a crane 83, ashereinafter explained, is in the form of an upwardly-taperingsubstantially conical rack, the bottom sections 79 being hinged at i 84to the lower ends of the upwardly-extendj ing side bars 85. The upperends of the side i bars 85 are pivoted by pins or rivets 86 to a I heador cap piece 87, which is pivoted to the 1 arm 88 of the crane 83. Thehead or cap piece is provided with a vertical stem 89, which constitutesthe pivot, and the latter extends through an eye or opening of the outerend of the arm 88, being secured to the same by a nut 90, as shown inFigs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. 1

The sections of the bottom of the shock former and carrier are lockedtogether by a pair of levers 91, pivoted between their ends at 92 ondiametrically opposite sections and provided at opposite sides of thepivot with recesses 93 and 94, arranged to engage headed projections orstuds 95 and 96 of the adj acent sections of the bottom. The recess 93is arranged at one end of the lever, which is provided with an extendedportion or bill to form a hook. The other recess is formed by a pair ofprojecting lugs. These recesses are located at opposite edges of thelocking-lever, whereby the latter is adapted to be readily swung intoand out of engagement with the headed studs or projections. The leversare extended at one end to form handles, and when the shock former andcarrier is swung beyond the machine, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of thedrawings, the shock is deposited by unlocking the sections of thebottom. The weight of the shock will discharge it from the former andcarrier.

The bars 85 of the shock former and carrier are provided with upper andlower stayrods 97, connected at their outer ends by pivots 98 to thebars 85 and extending inward therefrom toward the center of the shockformer and carrier. These stay-rods are radially arranged and divide theshock former and carrier into four spaces or compartments, and they areyieldably supported in a hori zontal position by means of springs 99.The stay-rods are adapted to swing downward under the weight of a shockwhen the same is discharged from the former and carrier, and the springswill automatically return them to a horizontal position when the formerand carrier is free from the shock. The bars 85 are preferablysubstantially U shaped in cross-section to form longitudinal grooves forthe reception of the outer ends of the stay-rods and the springs.Springs 99 are also provided for yieldably holding the sec tions of thebottom in a horizontal position. The springs 99 and 99 may be mounted inany desired manner.

The crane consists of a vertical standard 83 and the arm 88, which ispivoted to the standard and which is supported by an inclined bracecomposed of two slidable sec tions 100 and 101. The section 100, whichis pivoted at its upper end to the bottom 88, at the outer portionthereof, is provided at its lower portion with ratchet teeth 102,arranged within the lower section 101 and adapted to be engaged by apawl 103. The lower section or member of the brace is substantiallyU-shaped in cross-section to receive the upper section or member, andthe pawl 103 is pivoted between the sides of the lower section ormember, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 11 of the drawings. The lower endof the section or member is provided with an ear which is connected toone end of a cord 10 1, extending upward from the ear and around apulley 105. The pulley 105 is mounted between a pair of ears or flangesof the lower section or member of the brace, and the cord or cableextends downward therefrom to a Windlass-shaft 106. shaft 106 is mountedon the lower section of the inclined brace, at the bottom thereof, andis adapted to be readily operated to lift the former and carrier clearof the rotary support or turn-table. The pawl 103 will lock the inclinedbrace in its extended position. The standard of the crane is supportedby suitable braces 107 and 108, and the lower end of the standard of theWindlass-shaft is journaled in a suitable bearing of a bracket 109. Thecrane is adapted to be partially rotated to swing the former and carrierfrom the position illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings to that shown inFig. 1. The braces 107 and 108 are provided at their upper ends withbearings 109 to receive the standard of the crane.

The machine is provided at its sides and back with horizontal guards 110and 111, arranged at intervals. The guards 110, which are slightlycurved, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, are mounted onbrackets 112 and have upturned rear ends 113 for the reception of openeyes or hooks 114 of the sections 111, which are approximatelysemicircular and which are preferably constructed of resilient material.The rear guards are detachable and are removable preparatory to swingingthe former and carrier from the machine to a point at one side of thesame.

Mounted on the pivot 76 is a horizontal ratchet-wheel 115, locatedbeneath the rotary support or turn-table and adaptedv to be engaged byan actuating-pawl 116. The actuating-pawl 1 16 is mounted on one end ofan oscillatory plate or member 1 17, and it is'held in engagement withthe ratchet-wheel bya spring 118. The plate or member 117 is mounted onthe pivot 76, and it extends beyond the ratchet-wheel at diametricallyopposite points. The actuating-pawl 116 is arranged at one end of theoscillatory member, and the other end thereof is connected by a pivot119 to the rear end of a bar 120, which extends forwardly from theoscillatory plate or member to a sprocket-chain 121. The sprocket- Thewindlassi chain 121 is arranged on sprocket-wheels 122 and 123, and thebar 120 is provided at its front portion with an arm 120, which issecured to one of the flights of the sprocketchain. The rearsprocket-wheel 123 is mounted on a suitable shaft 124, and the frontsprocket-wheel 123 is loosely mounted on the transverse shaft and isprovided with a clutch member or section 125, which is adapted tointerlock with a fixed clutch section or member 126. The fixed clutchsection or member 126 is suitably secured to the transverse shaft 10,and when it is engaged by the movable clutch member 125 motion iscommunicated from the shaft 10 to the sprocket-gearing, whereby the bar120 is advanced sufficiently to oscillate the ratchetwheel, the rotarysupport or turn-table, and the former and carrier one-quarter of arevolution. ing bar or member 120 is set at a slight angle and isarranged to be engaged by a fixed trip 128, which is located in the pathof the bar or member 120, and which is adapted to automatically swingthe same laterally at the limit of its forward movement, whereby themovable clutch section or member 125 will be automatically disengagedfrom the fixed clutch section or member 126, thereby stop ping therotary support or turn-table after the same has moved one-quarter of arevolution. The trip 128 consists of a bar or piece secured at its frontend to the supportingframe and having a projecting substantiallyL-shaped portion, the rear end of which is set at an angle and slightlybent at the end, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

The front sprocket-wheel 122 is provided at one side with the saidclutch section or member 125, and its hub at the opposite side isextended and grooved to receive a fork or bifurcated arm 129 of ashifting lever 130, which has its other arm disposed laterally of themachine at one side thereof and arranged within the path of anapproximately L-shaped actuating arm or device 131, mounted on andcarried by one of the stowing devices, whereby when a compartment orspace of the former and carrier is filled with stalks the shifting leverwill be oscillated to throw the sprocket-gearing into operation forpartially rotating the said former and car rier. When the clutch members125 and 1.26 are separated by the trip 128, the mechanism for actuatingthe ratchet-wheel is automatically returned to its initial position bymeans of a coil-spring 132, located in rear of the ratchet-wheel andsecured at its outer end to the back of the frame and at its inner endto the rear terminal of the reciprocating bar or member 120.

The machine, which may be drawn by draft-an mals or propelled by anysuitable means, is automatic in its operation until the shock iscompletely formed by filling the The front end 127 of the reciprocat-,

spaces or compartments of the carrier and former with stalks; The shockis then tied by hand and is deposited on the ground at one side of themachine, as heretofore explained.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A machine of the class described provided with a shock former andcarrier movable toward and from the machine for depositing the shockupon the ground, said shock former and carrier being provided withsupporting sides movable outwardly to facilitate the discharge of theshock.

2. A machine of the class described provided with a shock former andcarrier movable toward and from the machine for depositing the shockupon the ground, said shock former and carrier being provided withhinged supporting sides arranged to swing outwardly to faci itate thedischarge of the shock.

3. A machine of the class described provided with. a shock former andcarrier movable toward and from the machine for depositing the shockupon 'the ground, said shock former and carrier having a sectionalbottom and provided with hinged sides arranged to swing outwardly.

4. A machine of the class described provided with a shock former andcarrier having sides and provided with a sectional bottom carried by andhinged to the sides, and automatic means mounted on the sides andconnected with the sections of the bottom for returning the same to ahorizontal position.

5. A machine of the class described provided with a shock former andcarrier having sides and provided with a sectional bottom carried by andhinged to the sides, and springs connected with the sides and with thesections of the bottom for returning the latter to a horizontalposition.

6. A machine of the class described provided with a shock former andcarrier composed of upwardly-extending side bars movably connected atthe top, and a sectional bottom, the sections of the bottom beingconnected with the side bars and carried by the same.

7. A machine of the class described pro IIO vided with a shock formerand carrier, comprising upwardly-extending sides pivotally connected atthe top, and a bottom composed of sections hinged to the lower ends ofthe side bars and adapted to swing downward for discharging a shock.

8. A machine of the class described provided with a shock former andcarrier having a sectional bottom and provided with movable sidesopening outwardly to facilitate the discharge of the shock, and staysdividing the shock former and carrier into separate spaces orcompartments and connected at their outer ends to the sides and carriedby the same.

9. A machine of the class described provided with a shock former andcarrier having a sectional bottom and provided with movsides movableoutwardly to facilitate the discharge of the shock, each side carrying asec tion of the bottom.

11. A machine of the class described provided with a shock former andcarrier movable toward and from the machine for depositing the shockupon the ground, said shock former and carrier being provided withsupporting sides movable outwardly to facilitate the discharge of theshock, and stays dividing the shock former and carrier into separatespaces or compartments and connected at their outer ends to the sidesand carried by the same. i

12. A machine of the class described provided with a collapsible shockformer and carrier, comprising upwardly-converged side bars, a head towhich the upper ends of the bars are pivoted, a bottom composed ofsections hinged to the lower ends of the bars,

'- and radial stays also pivoted to the bars.

13. A machine of the class described provided with a shock former andcarrier having a bottom composed of sections, and ahorizontally-swinging locking-lever detachably connecting the sections.

14. A machine of the class described provided with a shock former andcarrier having a bottom composed of sections, a locking-lever pivotallymounted on one of the sections and arranged to swing horizontally, andmeans carried by the adjacent section for engagement with thelocking-lever.

15. A machine of the class described provided with a shock former andcarrier having a bottom composed of three or more sections, alocking-lever pivoted to one of the sections and provided at oppositesides of the pivot with engaging portions, and studs mounted on theadjacent sections for engagement with the lever.

16. A machine of the class described provided with a shock former andcarrier having a bottom composed of three or more sections,locking-levers mounted on the bottom and provided with notches, andheaded studs carried by the sections for engagement with the notches ofthe levers.

17. A machine of the class described provided with a shock former andcarrier having a bottom composed of substantially quadrant-shapedsections, and locking-levers fulcrumed on opposite sections and eachinterlocked with the adjacent sections.

18. A machine of the class described provided with a shock former andcarrier having a bottom composed of substantially quadrant-shapedsections, and a pair of locking levers pivoted between their ends on twoopposite sections and each provided at opposite sides of its pivot withmeans for engaging the two other sections of the bottom.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a shockformer and carrier, and a crane comprising a rotary standard, an armextending from the standard and movable upwardly and downwardly andconnected with the former and carrier, an extensible brace composed ofsections or members slidable on each other and connected with the arm,means for extending the sections, and locking mechanism for securing thesame in their adjustment.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination of ,a mainframe, a rotary sup port, a shock former and carrier interlocked withthe support, a crane mounted on the main frame adjacent to the supportand having a standard and provided with an arm connected with the shockformer and carrier, an extensible brace composed of sections slidable oneach other and connected respectively with the standard and with thearm, one of the sections being provided with ratchet-teeth, a pawlmounted on the other section for engaging the ratchet-teeth, andhoisting mechanism for extending the sections.

21. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotarysupport having a rojecting polygonal portion, and a shock former andcarrier provided at its bottom with an opening receiving the saidpolygonal portion, whereby the shock former and carrier is interlockedwith the support.

22. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotarysupport having a projecting portion, and a shock former and carrierprovided with a bottom composed of separable truncated sections formingan opening to receive the projections.

23. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotarysupport having a polygonal portion and provided with vprojections, and ashock former and carrier provided with a bottom composed of truncatedsections forming an opening to receivethe polygonal portion and havingperforations for the reception of the said projections.

24. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former, means movable in one direction for rotating theshock-former, mechanism for throwing the said means in the oppositedirection, gearing for actuating the said means, and means for,

. for rotating the ratchet-wheel, gearing for actuating the said means,and means for throwing the gearing into and out of operation.

26. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former, a ratchet-wheel connected with the former, means embodyinga pawl for rotating the ratchet-wheel, gearing for moving the said meansin one direction, and a spring for returning the said means to itsinitial position.

27. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former, a ratchet-wheel connected therewith, an oscillatory memberhaving a pawl for engaging the ratchet-wheel, gearing for moving theoscillatory member in one direction, and a spring for returning theoscillatory member to its initial position.

28. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former, a ratchet-wheel, a movable member provided with means forrotating the ratchet-Wheel, gearing for actuating the said member, and atrip for throwing the gearing out of operation.

' 29. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former, a ratchet-wheel connected therewith, a movable memberhaving means for engaging the ratchet-wheel to rotate the same, gearingembodying a sprocket-chain connected with the said member for actuatingthe same, and means for throwing the gearing into and out of operation.

30. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former, a ratchet-wheel connected therewith, means for engagingthe ratchet-wheel to rotate the same, gearing embodying a sprocket-chainand a clutch,. a reciprocating member connected with the sprocket-chainand with the said means, and a trip arranged in the path of thereciprocating member for operating the clutch to throw the gearing outof operation.

31. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former, a ratchet-wheel connected therewith, gearing embodying asprocket-chain and having a clutch, a movable member having means foractuating the ratchet-wheel, a reciprocating bar connected with themovable member and with the sprocket-chain, a trip arranged in the pathof the reciprocating bar for operating the clutch to throw the gearingout of op eration, and a spring connected with the reciprocating bar forreturning the parts to their initial position.

32. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former, a ratchet-wheel connected therewith, gearing embodying asprocket-chain and having a clutch, means connected with thesprocketchain for actuating the ratchet-wheel, a trip arranged in thepath of the said means for operating the clutch to throw the gearing outof operation, and a spring connected with the said means for returningthe same to its initial position.

33. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former, a ratchet-wheel connected therewith, gearing embodying asprocket-chain, means movable in one direction by the sprocket-chain foractuating the sprocket-wheel, a spring for moving the said means in theopposite direction, and means for throwing the gearing into and out ofoperation.

34. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former, a ratchet-wheel connected therewith, gearing embodying aclutch and a sprocket-chain, means movable in one direction by thesprocket-chain for rotating the ratchet-wheel, a spring for moving thesaid means in the opposite direction, a trip arranged in the path of thesaid means for operating the clutch to throw the gearin out ofoperation, and shifting mechanism 'or operating the clutch to throw thegearing into operation.

35. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshocleformer, feed ing mechanism, a ratchet-wheel connected with theshock-former, gearing embodying a sprocket-chain and provided with aclutch, means movable in one direction by the sprocket-chain foractuating the ratchetwheel, a trip arranged in the path of the means foroperating the clutch to throw the. gearing out of operation, andshifting mechanism operable by the feeding mechanism for throwing thegearing into operation.

36. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former, means movable in one direction for rotating theshockformer, gearing for actuating the said means, and a trip arrangedin the path of the said means for throwing the gearing out of operation.

37. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former, means movable in one direction for rotating theshock-former, gearing for actuating the said means, a trip arranged inthe path of the said means for throwing the gearing out of operation,and a spring for moving the said means in the opposite direction.

38. In a machine of the class described, the combination of ashockformer, and opposite stowing devices having curved guidingportions, and feeding mechanism carried by the stowing devices andmovable inwardly and outwardly through slots in the guiding portions.

39. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former, a stowing device movable into and out of the shockformerand arranged to be moved outward automatically by the materialaccumulating within the said shock-former, and means operableautomatically by the stowing device for rotating the shock-former whenthe stowing device reaches the limit of its outward movement.

40. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former, astowing device movable into and out of the shockformer,and arranged to be moved outward automatically by the materialaccumulating within the shock-former, gearing for rotating theshock-former, and means carried by the stowing device for automaticallythrowing the gearing into operation.

41. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former, astowing device movable into and out of the shockformerand arranged to be moved outward automatically by the materialaccumulating within the shocl former, gearing for rotating theshock-former, and a trip for automatically throwing the gearing out ofoperation when the shock-former has moved a predetermined distance.

42. In a machine of the class described, the combination of ashock-former, a cutting apparatus, means for feeding the plants to thecutting apparatus, a movable stowing device located between the cuttingapparatus and the shock-former, a feeding-arm carried by the stowingdevice, and crank mechanism connected with the feeding-arm for actuatingthe same independently of the stowing device.

43. In a machine of the class described, the combination of ashock-former, a cutting apparatus, means for feeding the plants to thecutting apparatus, a movable stowing device located between the cuttingapparatus and the shock former, a lever carried by and movableindependently of the stowing device, and crank mechanism connected withthe lever at a point between the ends thereof for actuating the same.

' 44. In a machine of the class described, the combination of ashock-former, a cutting apparatus, means for feeding the plants to thecutting apparatus, a movable stowing device located between the cuttingapparatus and the shock-former, a feeding-lever carried by and movableindependently of the stowing device, a link connected with one end ofthe feeding-lever, and a crank element connected with the feeding-leverbetween the ends thereof.

45. In a machine of the class described, the combination of ashock-former, a cutting apparatus, means for feeding the plants to thecutting apparatus, a pivotally-mounted stowing device, feeding-leversmounted on and movable independently of the stowing device, and a shafthaving crank-bends connected with the feeding-levers.

46. In a machine of the class described, the combination of apivotally-mounted stowing device provided with slots, feeding-levers eX-tending through the slots, and a crank-shaft connected with thefeeding-levers.

47. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a verticalshaft, a stowing device pivoted by the vertical shaft, feeding mechanismmounted on the stowing device and carried by the same in the movementthereof and also oscillating independently of the said stowing device,and gearing carried by the stowing device and operable by the saidvertical shaft for actuating the feeding mechanism.

48. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a verticalshaft, a pivoted stowing device mounted on the shaft, a crankshaftcarried by the stowing device, and feeding-levers connected with thecrank-shaft and carried by the stowing device in the movement thereofand also capable of an independent oscillatory movement, and gearingconnecting the shafts.

49. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former having separate spaces or compartments, and stowing meansmovable into and out of the spaces or compartments and arranged to beforced outwardly by the material accumulating within the shock-former.

50. In amachine of the class described, the combination of a rotaryshock-former having separate spaces or compartments, stowing meansmovable into and out of the spaces or compartments and arranged to beforced outwardly by the material accumulating within the shock-former,and means operable by the said stowing means at the limit of the outwardmovement thereof for rotating the shock-former.

51. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a shockformer having compartments or spaces, and stowing means movable into andout of the compartments or spaces and arranged to be forced outwardautomatically by the material accumulating within the shock-former, saidstowing means being also-arranged to be moved inward automatically intoan empty space or compartment by the material.

52. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a shockformer having compartments or spaces, stowing means movable into and outof the compartments or spaces and arranged to be forced outwardautomatically by the material accumulating within the shock-former, saidstowing means being also arranged to be moved inward automatically intoan empty space or compartment by the material, and means operable by thesaid stowing means at the limit of its outward movement for partiallyrotating the shock-former to present the spaces or compartmentssuccessively for filling.

53. In a machine of the class described, the combination of ashock-former, stowing means movable into and out of the shockformer andarranged to be forced outwardly by the material accumulating within theshock-former, and feeding means carried by the stowing means in themovement thereof and movable independently of the same.

54. In a machine of the class described, the combination with ashock-former, of a horizontally-swinging stowing device movable into andout of the shock-former and arranged to be forced outward automaticallyby the material accumulating within the shock-former, and feedingdevices carried by the stowing devices in the inward and outwardmovements thereof and movable independently of the same, whereby thematerial is forced inwardly as the packers move outwardly.

55. In a machine of the class described, the combination with ashock-former, of a stowing device movable toward and from theshock-former and arranged to be forced outwardly by the materialaccumulating within the machine, and oscillatory feeding means carriedby the stowing device and movable independently thereof, whereby it isadapted to force the material inwardly as the stowing 3 device movesoutwardly.

56. In a machine of the class described, the combination with ashock-former, of a stowing device movable into and out'of the same andarranged to be forced outwardly by the material accumulating within theshockformer, and feeding means carried by the stowing device and movableindependently thereof, whereby it is adapted to force the materialinwardly as the stowing device moves outwardly.

57. In a machine of the class described, the combination with ashock-former having sector-shaped spaces or compartments, ofoppositely-disposed horizontally-swinging stowing devices movable intoand out of the compartments of the shock-former and. arranged to beforced outwardly by the material accumulating within the same, saidstowing devices being provided with curved guiding portions for engagingthe material, and means mounted on the stowing devices for moving thematerial inwardly as the stowing devices move outwardly.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

OLIVER BOYER.

Witnesses:

R. R. KENNEDY, SMITH MOFARLAND.

